High performance transparent piezoelectric transducers as an additional sound source for personal audio devices

ABSTRACT

An audio system comprises an array of transparent piezoelectric transducers on a transparent surface. Each transparent piezoelectric transducer includes one or more piezoelectric layers and one or more conductive layers that are substantially transparent to visible light. A transparent piezoelectric transducer may include, e.g., a first conductive layer, a first piezoelectric layer on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the first piezoelectric layer. Or in another example, the transparent piezoelectric transducer includes many (e.g., 20-30) piezoelectric layers and many (e.g., 20-30) conductive layers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 17/130,290, filed Dec. 22, 2020, which is incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to an audio system for a personalaudio device.

BACKGROUND

The size, weight, and power budget allocated for an audio system islimited in personal audio devices. A reduced size and weight of anacoustic transducer or a novel high performance transducer design wouldbe advantageous for personal audio devices.

SUMMARY

A high performance optically transparent piezoelectric transducer arrayfor use in a personal audio device is disclosed. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer array is lightweight, has low power consumptionand high acoustic output for use as actuators, and can be used assensors. The transparent piezoelectric transducer array can be placed onan inner side of an eyewear device of a user, such that the user canboth see through and enjoy sound generated by at least a portion of thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array. At least a portion of thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array may detect sound to improve asound quality of the sound generated by the transparent piezoelectrictransducer array. The transparent piezoelectric transducer array can beused in an in-ear device, a display device, or other type of device forthe user (e.g., head mounted display, near eye display, glasses, laptop,tablet, monitor, wristband, watch, headphones, TV, earphones, etc.).

An audio system comprises an array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers on a transparent surface. Each transparent piezoelectrictransducer comprises a first conductive layer, a first piezoelectriclayer on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer onthe first piezoelectric layer. The first conductive layer, the firstpiezoelectric layer, and the second conductive layer are substantiallytransparent to visible light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a headset implemented as an eyeweardevice, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a view of a portion the headset of FIG. 1A further includinga transparent speaker panel, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an audio system, in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a cross section of a transparent piezoelectric transducerincluding one piezoelectric layer, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 3B is a cross section of a transparent piezoelectric transducerincluding two piezoelectric layers, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 4A is a cross section of a portion of a transparent piezoelectrictransducer array in a first position, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 4B is a cross section of a portion of a transparent piezoelectrictransducer array in a second position, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 4C is a cross section of a portion of a transparent piezoelectrictransducer array in a first position, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a user wearing an eyewear device including atransparent piezoelectric transducer array to illustrate beamforming andmitigation of crosstalk, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transparent eyewear device including atransparent piezoelectric transducer array, in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of mitigating crosstalk, in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an in-ear device assembly including atransparent piezoelectric transducer, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of display device including a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array to illustrate generating localized soundfrom source objects in displayed images, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for the audio system togenerate localized sound from source objects in displayed images in adisplay device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a system that includes a headset with the audio system, inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments relate to a high performance transparent piezoelectrictransducer array for use in personal audio devices. An audio system of apersonal audio device includes an array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers on a transparent surface. Each transparent piezoelectrictransducer includes one or more piezoelectric layers and a plurality ofconductive layers. For example, a transparent piezoelectric transducermay include a first conductive layer, first piezoelectric layer on thefirst conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the firstpiezoelectric layer. The first conductive layer, the first piezoelectriclayer, and the second conductive layer are substantially transparent tovisible light. And in other embodiments, there may be many additionallayers (e.g., 20) of piezoelectric layers and/or conductive layers. Eachtransparent piezoelectric transducer may include a back volume, or sharea back volume with another piezoelectric transducer. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer array may be used as actuators or sensors inthe audio system.

The personal audio device may be a head mounted display, near eyedisplay, glasses, laptop, tablet, monitor, wristband, watch, headphones,earphones, etc. In an eyewear device (e.g., head mounted display, neareye display, glasses, etc.), the array of transparent piezoelectrictransducer may cover an interior surface of the eyewear device (e.g.,surface of the eyewear device facing a user when worn such as lens,frame, temple, etc.). The array of transparent piezoelectric transducersmay be used as an actuator (e.g., speakers) to produce sound for theeyewear device, as a sensor to detect sound for use in improving thesound for the eyewear device, as a sensor to detect vibration (e.g., anoptically transparent accelerometer, a contact microphone, etc.). Aportion of the array of transparent piezoelectric transducers mayproduce sound directed to an ear of the user. One or more of thetransparent piezoelectric transducers of the array on an interiorsurface (e.g., surface facing a user) of the eyewear device may be usedto detect sound at an entrance of the ear of the user. In someembodiments, the audio system may use a transfer function to transformthe detected sound from the location of on the eyewear device to soundthat would be detected at an entrance of the ear of the user. In someembodiments, the transfer function may be a generic transfer functionthat may be used for all users. In alternate embodiments, the transferfunction may be individualized to the user. As a head geometry, pinnageometry, etc., are different for each individual, the audio system maycustomize the transfer function to each individual. For example, theaudio system may use a trained machine learning model and/or network tocustomize the transfer function to the individual based on, e.g., thehead geometry of the individual, pinna geometry of the individual, etc.

Note that in some embodiments, the audio system may perform active noisecancellation (ANC) using the array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers. In some embodiments, a controller of the audio system maydetermine whether there is noise in the detected sound. The sound may bedetected by an acoustic sensor, like, e.g., a conventional microphone, atransparent piezoelectric transducer configured to act as a sensor(e.g., microphone), etc. The controller then generates instructions forsome or all of the array of transparent piezoelectric transducers toproduce an air pressure wave to cancel the identified noise.

The transparent piezoelectric transducer array may be used in an in-eardevice. The transparent piezoelectric transducer array may be used asactuators in the in-ear device and/or sensors (e.g., as a microphone) inthe in-ear device.

The personal audio device may be a display device of the user. In adisplay device of the user (e.g., laptop, tablet, monitor, etc.) thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array may cover a surface of thedisplay device. A portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducerarray may be used to generate localized sound for a source objectdisplayed in an image of the display device. The term “localized sound”or “localized audio content” refers to sound or audio content thatoriginates from a source object that is displayed in an image on thedisplay device. For example, if the display device displays video of aperson speaking—the portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducerarray that overlays the mouth of the person speaking would emit theaudio content associated with the person speaking.

The transparent piezoelectric transducer array may also be used toprovide haptic feedback to a user. A portion of the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array may be used to generate localizedvibration for a source object displayed in an image to the displaydevice. The term “localized vibration” refers to vibration thatoriginates from a source object that is displayed in an image on thedisplay device.

The transparent piezoelectric transducer array is lightweight and haslow power consumption. The transparent piezoelectric transducer arraymay cover transparent surfaces and still be see-through. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer array may have high acoustic output for use asactuators, and may cover an entire audible frequency range (e.g., 20 Hzto 20 kHz). Compared to conventional air conduction audio glasses thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array provides a benefit ofincreased sound pressure level output and less leakage. With thetransparent speaker panel, the SPL will be steered more towards the ear.

Embodiments of the invention may include or be implemented inconjunction with an artificial reality system. Artificial reality is aform of reality that has been adjusted in some manner beforepresentation to a user, which may include, e.g., a virtual reality (VR),an augmented reality (AR), a mixed reality (MR), a hybrid reality, orsome combination and/or derivatives thereof. Artificial reality contentmay include completely generated content or generated content combinedwith captured (e.g., real-world) content. The artificial reality contentmay include video, audio, haptic feedback, or some combination thereof,any of which may be presented in a single channel or in multiplechannels (such as stereo video that produces a three-dimensional effectto the viewer). Additionally, in some embodiments, artificial realitymay also be associated with applications, products, accessories,services, or some combination thereof, that are used to create contentin an artificial reality and/or are otherwise used in an artificialreality. The artificial reality system that provides the artificialreality content may be implemented on various platforms, including awearable device (e.g., headset) connected to a host computer system, astandalone wearable device (e.g., headset), a mobile device or computingsystem, or any other hardware platform capable of providing artificialreality content to one or more viewers.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a headset 100 implemented as an eyeweardevice, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments,the eyewear device is a near eye display (NED). In general, the headset100 may be worn on the face of a user such that content (e.g., mediacontent) is presented using a display assembly and/or an audio system.However, the headset 100 may also be used such that media content ispresented to a user in a different manner. Examples of media contentpresented by the headset 100 include one or more images, video, audio,or some combination thereof. The headset 100 includes a frame, and mayinclude, among other components, a display assembly including one ormore display elements 120, a depth camera assembly (DCA), an audiosystem, and a position sensor 190. While FIG. 1A illustrates thecomponents of the headset 100 in example locations on the headset 100,the components may be located elsewhere on the headset 100, on aperipheral device paired with the headset 100, or some combinationthereof. Similarly, there may be more or fewer components on the headset100 than what is shown in FIG. 1A.

The frame 110 holds the other components of the headset 100. The frame110 includes a front part that holds the one or more display elements120 and end pieces (e.g., temples) to attach to a head of the user. Thefront part of the frame 110 bridges the top of a nose of the user. Thelength of the end pieces may be adjustable (e.g., adjustable templelength) to fit different users. The end pieces may also include aportion that curls behind the ear of the user (e.g., temple tip, earpiece).

The one or more display elements 120 provide light to a user wearing theheadset 100. As illustrated the headset includes a display element 120for each eye of a user. In some embodiments, a display element 120generates image light that is provided to an eyebox of the headset 100.The eyebox is a location in space that an eye of user occupies whilewearing the headset 100. For example, a display element 120 may be awaveguide display. A waveguide display includes a light source (e.g., atwo-dimensional source, one or more line sources, one or more pointsources, etc.) and one or more waveguides. Light from the light sourceis in-coupled into the one or more waveguides which outputs the light ina manner such that there is pupil replication in an eyebox of theheadset 100. In-coupling and/or outcoupling of light from the one ormore waveguides may be done using one or more diffraction gratings. Insome embodiments, the waveguide display includes a scanning element(e.g., waveguide, mirror, etc.) that scans light from the light sourceas it is in-coupled into the one or more waveguides. Note that in someembodiments, one or both of the display elements 120 are opaque and donot transmit light from a local area around the headset 100. The localarea is the area surrounding the headset 100. For example, the localarea may be a room that a user wearing the headset 100 is inside, or theuser wearing the headset 100 may be outside and the local area is anoutside area. In this context, the headset 100 generates VR content.Alternatively, in some embodiments, one or both of the display elements120 are at least partially transparent, such that light from the localarea may be combined with light from the one or more display elements toproduce AR and/or MR content.

In some embodiments, a display element 120 does not generate imagelight, and instead is a lens that transmits light from the local area tothe eyebox. For example, one or both of the display elements 120 may bea lens without correction (non-prescription) or a prescription lens(e.g., single vision, bifocal and trifocal, or progressive) to helpcorrect for defects in a user's eyesight. In some embodiments, thedisplay element 120 may be polarized and/or tinted to protect the user'seyes from the sun.

In some embodiments, the display element 120 may include an additionaloptics block (not shown). The optics block may include one or moreoptical elements (e.g., lens, Fresnel lens, etc.) that direct light fromthe display element 120 to the eyebox. The optics block may, e.g.,correct for aberrations in some or all of the image content, magnifysome or all of the image, or some combination thereof.

The DCA determines depth information for a portion of a local areasurrounding the headset 100. The DCA includes one or more imagingdevices 130 and a DCA controller (not shown in FIG. 1A), and may alsoinclude an illuminator 140. In some embodiments, the illuminator 140illuminates a portion of the local area with light. The light may be,e.g., structured light (e.g., dot pattern, bars, etc.) in the infrared(IR), IR flash for time-of-flight, etc. In some embodiments, the one ormore imaging devices 130 capture images of the portion of the local areathat include the light from the illuminator 140. As illustrated, FIG. 1Ashows a single illuminator 140 and two imaging devices 130. In alternateembodiments, there is no illuminator 140 and at least two imagingdevices 130.

The DCA controller computes depth information for the portion of thelocal area using the captured images and one or more depth determinationtechniques. The depth determination technique may be, e.g., directtime-of-flight (ToF) depth sensing, indirect ToF depth sensing,structured light, passive stereo analysis, active stereo analysis (usestexture added to the scene by light from the illuminator 140), someother technique to determine depth of a scene, or some combinationthereof.

The audio system provides audio content. The audio system includes atransducer array, a sensor array, and an audio controller 150. The audiosystem includes an array of transparent piezoelectric transducers whichmay be a part of the transducer array and/or the sensor array, asdescribed in more detail below. The array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers may include a single continuous array of transparentpiezoelectric transducers or more than one discrete arrays oftransparent piezoelectric transducers covering a surface of a personaldevice of a user. However, in other embodiments, the audio system mayinclude different and/or additional components. Similarly, in somecases, functionality described with reference to the components of theaudio system can be distributed among the components in a differentmanner than is described here. For example, some or all of the functionsof the controller may be performed by a remote server.

The transducer array presents sound to user. The transducer arrayincludes a plurality of transducers. The transducer array may include anarray of transparent piezoelectric transducers on any surface of theframe 110, display element 120, a lens, or an optical element of anoptics block. The array of transparent piezoelectric transducers mayinclude multiple arrays of transparent piezoelectric transducers (e.g.,discrete arrays on the frame, lens, etc.) or may include a single arrayof transparent piezoelectric transducers (e.g., just one array on theframe, or some other location). A transducer may be a speaker 160 or atissue transducer 170 (e.g., a bone conduction transducer or a cartilageconduction transducer). The speaker 160 may be an array of transparentpiezoelectric transducers. Although the speakers 160 are shown exteriorto the frame 110, the speakers 160 may be enclosed in the frame 110. Insome embodiments, instead of individual speakers for each ear, theheadset 100 includes a speaker array comprising multiple speakersintegrated into the frame 110 to improve directionality of presentedaudio content. In some embodiments, the speaker array comprisingmultiple speakers may be an array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers covering an interior surface (e.g., surface facing the userwhen worn) of the frame 110. The tissue transducer 170 couples to thehead of the user and directly vibrates tissue (e.g., bone or cartilage)of the user to generate sound. The number and/or locations oftransducers may be different from what is shown in FIG. 1A. The tissuetransducer 170 may be an array of transparent piezoelectric transducers.

The sensor array detects sounds within the local area of the headset100. The sensor array includes a plurality of acoustic sensors 180. Thesensor array may include an array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers, or one or more transparent piezoelectric transducers. Anacoustic sensor 180 captures sounds emitted from one or more soundsources in the local area (e.g., a room). The acoustic sensor 180 may anarray of transparent piezoelectric transducers, or a transparentpiezoelectric transducer. Each acoustic sensor is configured to detectsound and convert the detected sound into an electronic format (analogor digital). The acoustic sensor 180 as a transparent piezoelectrictransducer may detect an air pressure wave, or may be in contact with aportion of a user's ear, etc. to indirectly measure a produced airpressure wave through detected vibrations. In these embodiments, thetransparent piezoelectric transducer is structurally similar to anactuator, for example, it can be a vibrating membrane, a vibratingcantilever, or a vibrating proof mass with a spring. The transparenthigh performance piezoelectric material may be located at the area withthe most concentrated stress. The piezoelectricity mode can either be a3-3 mode or a 3-1 mode. The detected air pressure wave or vibrations maybe analyzed (e.g., apply transfer function) to estimate a detected airpressure wave at an entrance of an ear of the user. The acoustic sensors180 may also be other piezoelectric transducers, acoustic wave sensors,microphones, sound transducers, or similar sensors that are suitable fordetecting sounds.

In some embodiments, one or more acoustic sensors 180 may be placed inan ear canal of each ear (e.g., acting as binaural microphones). Forexample, an acoustic sensor 180 may be an in-ear device. The array oftransparent piezoelectric transducers may be used as part of an in-eardevice. Further detail relating to the in-ear device embodiment can befound in the detailed description of FIG. 8 .

In some embodiments, the acoustic sensors 180 may be placed on anexterior surface of the headset 100, placed on an interior surface ofthe headset 100 (e.g., surface facing a user when worn), separate fromthe headset 100 (e.g., part of some other device), or some combinationthereof. The number and/or locations of acoustic sensors 180 may bedifferent from what is shown in FIG. 1A. For example, the number ofacoustic detection locations may be increased to increase the amount ofaudio information collected and the sensitivity and/or accuracy of theinformation. The acoustic detection locations may be oriented such thatthe microphone is able to detect sounds in a wide range of directionssurrounding the user wearing the headset 100.

The audio controller 150 generates instructions for the transducer arrayto generate acoustic pressure waves for presentation to the user. Theaudio controller 150 processes information from the sensor array thatdescribes sounds detected by the sensor array. The audio controller 150may comprise a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. Theaudio controller 150 may be configured to generate direction of arrival(DOA) estimates, generate acoustic transfer functions (e.g., arraytransfer functions and/or head-related transfer functions), track thelocation of sound sources, form beams in the direction of sound sources,classify sound sources, generate sound filters for the speakers 160, orsome combination thereof. The audio controller 150 may be configured togenerate instructions for a transparent piezoelectric transducer arrayon a display to make it appear that sound is originating from a sourceobject in one or more images displayed on the display.

Note that in some embodiments, the audio system may perform ANC usingthe array of transparent piezoelectric transducers. The sensor arraydetects sound from a local area of the headset 100. Note, inembodiments, where feedback and/or adaptive ANC is performed, one ormore acoustic sensors of the sensor array are positioned near theentrances to the ear canals and can function as “error” microphones forANC. And in the case of feedforward ANC, one or more acoustic sensors ofthe sensor array are positioned on the front frame or temples of theframe and can function as “reference” microphones for ANC. The audiocontroller 150 may determine whether there is noise in the detectedsound. The audio controller 150 then generates instructions for some orall of the array of transparent piezoelectric transducers that are partof the transducer array to produce an air pressure wave to cancel theidentified noise.

Note that in this manner, the headset 100 is able to perform open earANC—which is not possible with conventional open ear audio systems giventhat their secondary path response has too much delay at low frequencies(the secondary path is the transfer function between the control soundsource and the error microphone/sensor). The use of the transparentpiezoelectric transducers mitigates the delay in the secondary pathresponse, and enables the headset 100 to perform open ear ANC. Thetransparent piezoelectric transducers can have less delay because thetransparent piezoelectric transducers can be closer to the ear (thetransparency may break the ID limit), and the response of transparentpiezoelectric transducers can potentially be faster than that of aconventional dynamic speaker.

The position sensor 190 generates one or more measurement signals inresponse to motion of the headset 100. The position sensor 190 may belocated on a portion of the frame 110 of the headset 100. The positionsensor 190 may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Examples ofposition sensor 190 include: one or more accelerometers, one or moregyroscopes, one or more magnetometers, another suitable type of sensorthat detects motion, a type of sensor used for error correction of theIMU, or some combination thereof. The one or more accelerometers mayinclude one or more transparent piezoelectric transducers. In theseembodiments, a transparent piezoelectric transducers include a proofmass with an attached spring, and the piezoelectric material will beapplied at the spring. In may be configured to operate in a 3 1 mode.The position sensor 190 may be located external to the IMU, internal tothe IMU, or some combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the headset 100 may provide for simultaneouslocalization and mapping (SLAM) for a position of the headset 100 andupdating of a model of the local area. For example, the headset 100 mayinclude a passive camera assembly (PCA) that generates color image data.The PCA may include one or more RGB cameras that capture images of someor all of the local area. In some embodiments, some or all of theimaging devices 130 of the DCA may also function as the PCA. The imagescaptured by the PCA and the depth information determined by the DCA maybe used to determine parameters of the local area, generate a model ofthe local area, update a model of the local area, or some combinationthereof. Furthermore, the position sensor 190 tracks the position (e.g.,location and pose) of the headset 100 within the room. Additionaldetails regarding the components of the headset 100 are discussed belowin connection with FIG. 11 .

FIG. 1B is a view of a portion the headset 100 of FIG. 1A furtherincluding a transparent speaker panel 192, in accordance with one ormore embodiments. The transparent speaker panel 192 includes an array oftransparent piezoelectric transducers. The transparent speaker panel 192may be removeable coupled to the frame 110. In some embodiments, thetransparent speaker panel 192 is coupled or attached to the frame 110such that it may rotate about a rotation axis 199 out of the way of apinna 198 or such that the transparent speaker panel 192 covers aportion of the pinna 198. In some embodiments, when the transparentspeaker panel 192 is in a down position (i.e., as illustrated in FIG.1B), the transparent speaker panel 192 also covers an entrance 195 to anear canal of the user. Portions of the array of piezoelectrictransducers may be on some or all sides of the transparent speaker panel192. For example, Portions of the array of piezoelectric transducers maybe on interior surface (i.e., surface facing the pinna 198 while in thedown position), on an outside surface (i.e., outward facing surface thatis opposite the interior surface while in the down position), or somecombination thereof. The transparent speaker panel 192 may be sized tocover the entrance to the ear canal 195 while the transparent speakerpanel 192 is in a down position.

The transparent speaker panel 192 helps steer sound more towards the earof the user. As such the transparent speaker panel 192 increases soundpressure levels at the entrance to the ear canal 195 and reduces leakage(i.e., sound not making to the entrance to the ear canal 195 and insteadpropagates out into the local area). Moreover, the transparent speakerpanel 192 may function as a vibrating surface that creates an extrasound source. For example, relative to a case with no transparentspeaker panel—if a transparent speaker panel is 30 mm×30 mm with a 10micron input displacement, sound pressure level at the ear canalentrance is increased by at least 15 dB and leakage is reduced by 4 dB.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an audio system 200, in accordance with oneor more embodiments. The audio system in FIG. 1A may be an embodiment ofthe audio system 200. The audio system 200 generates one or moreacoustic transfer functions for a user. The audio system 200 may thenuse the one or more acoustic transfer functions to generate audiocontent for the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the audio system 200includes a transducer array 210, a sensor array 220, and an audiocontroller 230. The audio system 200 includes an array of transparentpiezoelectric transducers which may be a part of the transducer array210 and/or the sensor array 220, as described in more detail below. Thearray of transparent piezoelectric transducers may include a singlecontinuous array of transparent piezoelectric transducers or more thanone discrete arrays of transparent piezoelectric transducers covering apersonal device of a user. Some embodiments of the audio system 200 havedifferent components than those described here. Similarly, in somecases, functions can be distributed among the components in a differentmanner than is described here.

The transducer array 210 is configured to present audio content. Thetransducer array 210 may include an array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers and/or other types of transducers (e.g., other piezoelectrictransducers, moving coil transducer, etc.) to provide audio content. Thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array may present audio content viaair conduction and may cover an entire audible frequency range (e.g., 20Hz to 20 kHz). The transducer array 210 includes a plurality oftransducers to provide audio content (e.g., devices that convertelectrical energy to sound). A transducer may be, e.g., a speaker (e.g.,the speaker 160), a tissue transducer (e.g., the tissue transducer 170),some other device that provides audio content, or some combinationthereof. As described above in regard to FIG. 1A, the speaker and/or thetissue transducer may include an array of transparent piezoelectrictransducers. A tissue transducer may be configured to function as a boneconduction transducer or a cartilage conduction transducer. Thetransducer array 210 may present audio content via air conduction (e.g.,via one or more speakers), via bone conduction (via one or more boneconduction transducer), via cartilage conduction audio system (via oneor more cartilage conduction transducers), or some combination thereof.In some embodiments, the transducer array 210 includes an array oftransparent piezoelectric transducers as a speaker to cover an entireaudible frequency range. In other embodiments, the transducer array 210may include one or more transducers to cover different parts of afrequency range. For example, a piezoelectric transducer may be used tocover a first part of a frequency range and a moving coil transducer maybe used to cover a second part of a frequency range. In someembodiments, the transparent piezoelectric transducer array may presentaudio content via bone conduction or cartilage conduction. Thetransducer structure and mode shape can be similar to that designed forair conduction, but with modifications that are tuned for betterperformance for use in cartilage conduction or bone conduction.

The bone conduction transducers generate acoustic pressure waves byvibrating bone/tissue in the user's head. A bone conduction transducermay be coupled to a portion of a headset, and may be configured to bebehind the auricle coupled to a portion of the user's skull. The boneconduction transducer receives vibration instructions from the audiocontroller 230, and vibrates a portion of the user's skull based on thereceived instructions. The vibrations from the bone conductiontransducer generate a tissue-borne acoustic pressure wave thatpropagates toward the user's cochlea, bypassing the eardrum.

The cartilage conduction transducers generate acoustic pressure waves byvibrating one or more portions of the auricular cartilage of the ears ofthe user. A cartilage conduction transducer may be coupled to a portionof a headset, and may be configured to be coupled to one or moreportions of the auricular cartilage of the ear. For example, thecartilage conduction transducer may couple to the back of an auricle ofthe ear of the user. The cartilage conduction transducer may be locatedanywhere along the auricular cartilage around the outer ear (e.g., thepinna, the tragus, some other portion of the auricular cartilage, orsome combination thereof). Vibrating the one or more portions ofauricular cartilage may generate: airborne acoustic pressure wavesoutside the ear canal; tissue born acoustic pressure waves that causesome portions of the ear canal to vibrate thereby generating an airborneacoustic pressure wave within the ear canal; or some combinationthereof. The generated airborne acoustic pressure waves propagate downthe ear canal toward the ear drum.

The transducer array 210 generates audio content in accordance withinstructions from the audio controller 230. In some embodiments, theaudio content is spatialized. Spatialized audio content is audio contentthat appears to originate from a particular direction and/or targetregion (e.g., an object in the local area and/or a virtual object). Forexample, spatialized audio content can make it appear that sound isoriginating from a virtual singer across a room from a user of the audiosystem 200. The transducer array 210 may be coupled to a wearable device(e.g., the headset 100 or the headset 105). In alternate embodiments,the transducer array 210 may be a plurality of speakers that areseparate from the wearable device (e.g., coupled to an externalconsole).

In some embodiments, the transducer array 210 is a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array on a display device (e.g., tablet,laptop, monitor, etc.) and the audio content may be localized (e.g.,localized sound). For example, the display device may display images toa user, and the transparent piezoelectric transducer array covers atransparent display surface of the display device. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer array may overlap images displayed on thedisplay device. A portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducerarray overlapping a source object (e.g., object in a displayed imagefrom which sound may originate from) may be used as actuators togenerate localized audio content. For example, the display may displayimages of a person who is talking, and a portion of the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array overlapping a source object (e.g., mouthof the person) may be activated to produce an air pressure wave aslocalized audio content (e.g., representing sound originating from aperson's mouth).

The sensor array 220 detects sounds within a local area surrounding thesensor array 220. The sensor array 220 may include an array oftransparent piezoelectric transducers to detect sounds. The sensor array220 may include a plurality of acoustic sensors that each detect airpressure variations of a sound wave and convert the detected sounds intoan electronic format (analog or digital). The plurality of acousticsensors may be positioned on a headset (e.g., headset 100 and/or theheadset 105), on a user (e.g., in an ear canal of the user), on aneckband, or some combination thereof. An acoustic sensor may be, e.g.,a transparent piezoelectric transducer, a microphone, a vibrationsensor, an accelerometer, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the sensor array 220 is configured to monitor the audiocontent generated by the transducer array 210 using at least some of theplurality of acoustic sensors. Increasing the number of sensors mayimprove the accuracy of information (e.g., directionality) describing asound field produced by the transducer array 210 and/or sound from thelocal area.

The audio controller 230 controls operation of the audio system 200. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 2 , the audio controller 230 includes a datastore 235, a DOA estimation module 240, a transfer function module 250,a tracking module 260, a beamforming module 270, and a sound filtermodule 280. The audio controller 230 may be located inside a headset, insome embodiments. Some embodiments of the audio controller 230 havedifferent components than those described here. Similarly, functions canbe distributed among the components in different manners than describedhere. For example, some functions of the controller may be performedexternal to the headset. The user may opt in to allow the audiocontroller 230 to transmit data captured by the headset to systemsexternal to the headset, and the user may select privacy settingscontrolling access to any such data. Note that in some embodiments, theaudio controller 230 may perform ANC as described above with regard to,e.g., FIG. 1A.

The data store 235 stores data for use by the audio system 200. Data inthe data store 235 may include sounds recorded in the local area of theaudio system 200, audio content, head-related transfer functions(HRTFs), transfer functions for one or more sensors, array transferfunctions (ATFs) for one or more of the acoustic sensors, sound sourcelocations, virtual model of local area, direction of arrival estimates,sound filters, and other data relevant for use by the audio system 200,or any combination thereof.

The user may opt-in to allow the data store 235 to record data capturedby the audio system 200. In some embodiments, the audio system 200 mayemploy always on recording, in which the audio system 200 records allsounds captured by the audio system 200 in order to improve theexperience for the user. The user may opt in or opt out to allow orprevent the audio system 200 from recording, storing, or transmittingthe recorded data to other entities.

The DOA estimation module 240 is configured to localize sound sources inthe local area based in part on information from the sensor array 220.Localization is a process of determining where sound sources are locatedrelative to the user of the audio system 200. The DOA estimation module240 performs a DOA analysis to localize one or more sound sources withinthe local area. The DOA analysis may include analyzing the intensity,spectra, and/or arrival time of each sound at the sensor array 220 todetermine the direction from which the sounds originated. In some cases,the DOA analysis may include any suitable algorithm for analyzing asurrounding acoustic environment in which the audio system 200 islocated.

For example, the DOA analysis may be designed to receive input signalsfrom the sensor array 220 and apply digital signal processing algorithmsto the input signals to estimate a direction of arrival. Thesealgorithms may include, for example, delay and sum algorithms where theinput signal is sampled, and the resulting weighted and delayed versionsof the sampled signal are averaged together to determine a DOA. A leastmean squared (LMS) algorithm may also be implemented to create anadaptive filter. This adaptive filter may then be used to identifydifferences in signal intensity, for example, or differences in time ofarrival. These differences may then be used to estimate the DOA. Inanother embodiment, the DOA may be determined by converting the inputsignals into the frequency domain and selecting specific bins within thetime-frequency (TF) domain to process. Each selected TF bin may beprocessed to determine whether that bin includes a portion of the audiospectrum with a direct path audio signal. Those bins having a portion ofthe direct-path signal may then be analyzed to identify the angle atwhich the sensor array 220 received the direct-path audio signal. Thedetermined angle may then be used to identify the DOA for the receivedinput signal. Other algorithms not listed above may also be used aloneor in combination with the above algorithms to determine DOA.

In some embodiments, the DOA estimation module 240 may also determinethe DOA with respect to an absolute position of the audio system 200within the local area. The position of the sensor array 220 may bereceived from an external system (e.g., some other component of aheadset, an artificial reality console, a mapping server, a positionsensor (e.g., the position sensor 190), etc.). The external system maycreate a virtual model of the local area, in which the local area andthe position of the audio system 200 are mapped. The received positioninformation may include a location and/or an orientation of some or allof the audio system 200 (e.g., of the sensor array 220). The DOAestimation module 240 may update the estimated DOA based on the receivedposition information.

The transfer function module 250 is configured to generate one or moreacoustic transfer functions. Generally, a transfer function is amathematical function giving a corresponding output value for eachpossible input value. Based on parameters of the detected sounds, thetransfer function module 250 generates one or more acoustic transferfunctions associated with the audio system. The acoustic transferfunctions may be array transfer functions (ATFs), head-related transferfunctions (HRTFs), other types of acoustic transfer functions, or somecombination thereof. An ATF characterizes how the microphone receives asound from a point in space.

An ATF includes a number of transfer functions that characterize arelationship between the sound source and the corresponding soundreceived by the acoustic sensors in the sensor array 220. Accordingly,for a sound source there is a corresponding transfer function for eachof the acoustic sensors in the sensor array 220. And collectively theset of transfer functions is referred to as an ATF. Accordingly, foreach sound source there is a corresponding ATF. Note that the soundsource may be, e.g., someone or something generating sound in the localarea, the user, or one or more transducers of the transducer array 210.The ATF for a particular sound source location relative to the sensorarray 220 may differ from user to user due to a person's anatomy (e.g.,ear shape, shoulders, etc.) that affects the sound as it travels to theperson's ears. Accordingly, the ATFs of the sensor array 220 arepersonalized for each user of the audio system 200.

In some embodiments, the transfer function module 250 determines one ormore HRTFs for a user of the audio system 200. The HRTF characterizeshow an ear receives a sound from a point in space. The HRTF for aparticular source location relative to a person is unique to each ear ofthe person (and is unique to the person) due to the person's anatomy(e.g., ear shape, shoulders, etc.) that affects the sound as it travelsto the person's ears. In some embodiments, the transfer function module250 may determine HRTFs for the user using a calibration process. Insome embodiments, the transfer function module 250 may provideinformation about the user to a remote system. The user may adjustprivacy settings to allow or prevent the transfer function module 250from providing the information about the user to any remote systems. Theremote system determines a set of HRTFs that are customized to the userusing, e.g., machine learning, and provides the customized set of HRTFsto the audio system 200.

The tracking module 260 is configured to track locations of one or moresound sources. The tracking module 260 may compare current DOA estimatesand compare them with a stored history of previous DOA estimates. Insome embodiments, the audio system 200 may recalculate DOA estimates ona periodic schedule, such as once per second, or once per millisecond.The tracking module may compare the current DOA estimates with previousDOA estimates, and in response to a change in a DOA estimate for a soundsource, the tracking module 260 may determine that the sound sourcemoved. In some embodiments, the tracking module 260 may detect a changein location based on visual information received from the headset orsome other external source. The tracking module 260 may track themovement of one or more sound sources over time. The tracking module 260may store values for a number of sound sources and a location of eachsound source at each point in time. In response to a change in a valueof the number or locations of the sound sources, the tracking module 260may determine that a sound source moved. The tracking module 260 maycalculate an estimate of the localization variance. The localizationvariance may be used as a confidence level for each determination of achange in movement.

The beamforming module 270 is configured to process one or more ATFs toselectively emphasize sounds from sound sources within a certain areawhile de-emphasizing sounds from other areas. In analyzing soundsdetected by the sensor array 220, the beamforming module 270 may combineinformation from different acoustic sensors to emphasize soundassociated from a particular region of the local area whiledeemphasizing sound that is from outside of the region. In someinstances, the local area may be an area at an entrance of one ear ofthe user, and the sound that is outside of the region may be sound thatis directed to another ear of the user (e.g., crosstalk). Thebeamforming module 270 may isolate an audio signal associated with soundfrom a particular sound source from other sound sources in the localarea based on, e.g., different DOA estimates from the DOA estimationmodule 240 and the tracking module 260. The beamforming module 270 maythus selectively analyze discrete sound sources in the local area. Insome embodiments, the beamforming module 270 may enhance a signal from asound source. For example, the beamforming module 270 may apply soundfilters which eliminate signals above, below, or between certainfrequencies. Signal enhancement acts to enhance sounds associated with agiven identified sound source relative to other sounds detected by thesensor array 220. Since this transparent speaker panel includes of anarray of small transducers (can be used both as sensors and/oractuators), naturally beamforming microphone algorithms can be appliedhere. Also, parametric speaker array algorithm to generate specificsound direction can also be used.

The sound filter module 280 determines sound filters for the transducerarray 210. In some embodiments, the sound filters cause the audiocontent to be spatialized, such that the audio content appears tooriginate from a target region. The sound filter module 280 may useHRTFs and/or acoustic parameters to generate the sound filters. Theacoustic parameters describe acoustic properties of the local area. Theacoustic parameters may include, e.g., a reverberation time, areverberation level, a room impulse response, etc. In some embodiments,the sound filter module 280 calculates one or more of the acousticparameters. In some embodiments, the sound filter module 280 requeststhe acoustic parameters from a mapping server (e.g., as described belowwith regard to FIG. 11 ).

The sound filter module 280 provides the sound filters to the transducerarray 210. In some embodiments, the sound filters may cause positive ornegative amplification of sounds as a function of frequency.

FIG. 3A is a cross section of a transparent piezoelectric transducer 300including one piezoelectric layer, in accordance with one or moreembodiments. The piezoelectric transducer 300 includes a firsttransparent conductive layer 302, a transparent piezoelectric layer 304,a second transparent conductive layer 306, and optionally a back volume308. The term “piezo stack” as used herein refers to alternating layersof conductive layers and piezoelectric layers. For example, in FIG. 3A,a piezo stack 301 refers to the conductive layer 302, piezoelectriclayer 304, and the conductive layer 306.

The piezoelectric layer 304 can be made of any transparent piezoelectricmaterial. An example of a transparent piezoelectric material ismagnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT), or(1−x)Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O₃-xPbTiO₃ as a single-crystal piezoelectric.In one embodiment, the piezoelectric layer 304 may be made of apiezoelectric nanocomposite. For example, PMN-PT can be synthesized asnanowires and mixed with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to produce apiezoelectric nanocomposite that is flexible. Other examples oftransparent piezoelectric material include polyvinylidene fluoride orpolyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) or lithium niobate (LiNbO₃). Thethickness of the piezoelectric layer 304 may range from, e.g., 1 um to 1mm.

The transparent conductive layers 302 and 306 can be made of anytransparent conductive material. An example of a transparent conductivematerial is a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) such as indium tinoxide (ITO). The thickness of the transparent conductive layers 302 and306 may range from, e.g., 1 nm to 100 nm.

The back volume 308 is a volume of air space behind the piezo stack. Theback volume 308 may be used to attenuate an out-of phase acousticpressure wave that is produced by the piezo stack. The back volume mayalso allow the piezo stack to have a limited amount of air to pushagainst and to prevent the piezo stack from being overdriven. A size ofback volume may also adjust the resonance frequency of the system. Anincrease in back volume may reduce the acoustic resonance, andtherefore, it will increase the amount of available bass and increasethe sound pressure level (SPL). A decrease in back volume may increasethe resonance and reduce the amount of available bass and the SPL of thesystem. Note that as the size of the back volume increases, the lessstiffness it has—and the size of the back volume should be chosen so asto not dominate the stiffness of the whole system. As such, thestiffness of the back volume 308 may be tuned to be equal or less than astiffness of the vibrating piezoelectric stack diaphragm.

FIG. 3B is a cross section of a transparent piezoelectric transducer 310including two piezoelectric layers, in accordance with one or moreembodiments. The transparent piezoelectric transducer 310 is similar tothe piezoelectric transducer 300 except it includes an additionalalternating piezoelectric layer and conductive layer. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer 310 includes a piezo stack 311 that includes afirst transparent conductive layer 302, a first transparentpiezoelectric layer 304, a second transparent conductive layer 306, asecond piezoelectric layer 318, and a third transparent conductive layer320. The transparent piezoelectric transducer 310 optionally includes aback volume 308. Although FIGS. 3A and 3B show three and fivealternating layers in piezo stack 301 and 311, respectively, a piezostack can have a different number of alternating layers.

In some embodiments, the transparent piezoelectric transducer arrayincluded in audio system 200 may be at least a portion of transducerarray 210 and/or the sensor array 220. The transparent piezoelectrictransducer array may include, for example, one or more transparentpiezoelectric transducers as described in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. Thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array includes a plurality oftransparent piezoelectric transducers. The transparent piezoelectrictransducer array may cover a large area surface, such as an entireviewing surface of a display device or an entire interior surface of aneyewear device (e.g., surface facing the user when worn). The transducerarray may cover a more limited surface area, such as portions of adisplay device or an eyewear device. The transparent piezoelectrictransducer array may be a continuous array, or separate arrays (e.g., onan eyewear device, separate arrays for portions on a lens, a frame,etc.). The transparent piezoelectric transducer array may be arranged inone dimension, such as a single row or column of transducers. Thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array may be arranged in twodimensions, such as rows and columns of transducers. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer array may include the piezoelectric transducerarray of FIG. 4A, the piezoelectric transducer array of FIG. 4C, or somecombination thereof. The transparent piezoelectric transducer arrayincludes a plurality of piezo stacks (e.g., piezo stacks 414 and 416 ofFIG. 4A or piezo stacks 434 and 436 of FIG. 4C) and optionally mayinclude corresponding back volume(s) (e.g., back volumes 418 and 420 ofFIG. 4A, back volume 438 of FIG. 4C). The transparent piezoelectrictransducers, when used as actuators (e.g., included in transducer array210), have lower power consumption and higher acoustic output for use asactuators in comparison to conventional audio systems.

FIG. 4A is a cross section of a portion 410 of a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array in a first position, in accordance withone or more embodiments. The portion 410 of the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array includes a substrate 412, piezo stack414, and piezo stack 416. The piezo stacks 414 and 416 may be the piezostack 301 as shown in FIG. 3A, or include additional alternating layersof piezoelectric and conductive layers. The substrate 412 istransparent. In other embodiments, the substrate may be partiallytransparent or opaque. The piezo stacks 414 and 416 may be surfacemounted or bonded onto a substrate 412. The substrate 412 may includerecesses to form corresponding back volumes 418 and 420 of thetransducers. The substrate 412 may be a frame, lens, optical element ofan optics block of an eyewear device, or a cover glass of a displaydevice, etc.

In some embodiments, a piezo stack (e.g., 414 and/or 416) may beconfigured to actuate in different ways. For example, in someembodiments, a piezo stack may be coupled to the substrate 412 such thatit vibrates similar to that of a speaker membrane. In these cases, thepiezo stack is coupled to the substrate on 412 on at least two sidesthat are opposite to each other. For example, the piezo stack 414includes a side 450 and a side 455 that are opposite to each other, andin some embodiments both of these sides may be coupled to the substrate412 and a portion of the piezo stack 414 between the sides 450, 455vibrates up and down.

In some embodiments, a piezo stack may be coupled to the substrate 412such that it vibrates similar to that of a cantilever. In these cases,the piezo stack is coupled to the substrate on 412 on a single side. Forexample, the side 450 of the piezo stack 414 is coupled to the substrate412 and the remaining sides are not coupled to the substrate 412.Accordingly, the piezo stack 414 vibrates up and down with the amount offlexure increasing with distance from the point of attachment (i.e., atthe side 450 in this example) to the substrate 412. The benefit of acantilever over a membrane is that under the same area, a cantilever cancreate a larger displacement. The disadvantage of the cantilever,compared to a membrane is that it can create a thin slit/gap whichallows the air to travel between front and back which may generate somedestructive interference.

In some embodiments, the transparent piezoelectric transducer arrayincludes piezo stacks that are configured to vibrate in the same manner.In other embodiments, the transparent piezoelectric transducer arrayincludes at least two piezo stacks that are configured to vibrate in adifferent manner (e.g., one membrane and another cantilever).

FIG. 4B is a cross section of a portion 426 of a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array including piezo stacks vibrating similarto cantilevers, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In thisembodiment, the piezo stacks 414, 416 are each coupled to the substrate412 via a single respective side, and vibrate like a cantilever. Whenthe piezo stacks 414 and 416 are in a second position, a free end of thetransducers are displaced in a direction away from a surface of thesubstrate 412. FIG. 4B shows the free ends of the transducers facingeach other. However, the free end may be arranged in a differentorientation. The movement of the transducers from the first position ofFIG. 4A to the second position of FIG. 4B generates a positive airpressure wave in the direction away from the substrate (e.g., towards auser). A negative air pressure wave may be generated towards thedirection of the substrate 412. If there is a back volume, this negativeair pressure wave may be allowed to dissipate in the back volume.

FIG. 4C is a cross section of a portion 430 of a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array in a first position, in accordance withone or more embodiments. The portion 430 of the piezoelectric transducerarray includes a substrate 432 and piezo stacks 434 and 436, andoptionally a back volume 438. The substrate 432 is similar to thesubstrate 412 in FIG. 4A. The piezo stacks 434 and 436 are similar tothe piezo stacks 414 and 416 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B with respect tothe orientation of the fixed ends and the motion, except the piezostacks 434 and 436 are not spaced apart and share a same optional backvolume 438. For example, in some embodiments, the piezo stacks 434 and436 have free ends that face each other, and the free ends would open upin a similar manner as shown in FIG. 4B (i.e., a cantileverconfiguration). The movement of the piezo stacks from a first positionto a second position generates an air pressure wave away from thesubstrate 432. A negative air pressure wave may be generated towards thesubstrate 412. If there is a back volume, this negative air pressurewave may be allowed to dissipate in the back volume 438.

Although not shown, each transducer in the portion 410 of thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and theportion 430 of the transparent piezoelectric transducer array has acorresponding electrodes so that each transducer can be individuallydriven by an applied voltage. A controller (e.g., controller 150) mayapply a voltage from a power supply to a piezoelectric transducer viathe electrodes to activate the transducer. FIG. 5 is a top view of auser wearing an eyewear device including a transparent piezoelectrictransducer array to illustrate beamforming and mitigation of crosstalk,in accordance with one or more embodiments. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer array includes a transparent piezoelectrictransducer array 510 a on the left lens of the eyewear device, atransparent piezoelectric transducer array 510 b on the right lens ofthe eyewear device, a transparent piezoelectric transducer array 510 con the left temple of the frame of the eyewear device, and a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array 510 d on the right temple of the frame ofthe eyewear device. The transparent piezoelectric transducer arrays 510a, 510 b, 510 c, and 510 d may function as piezoelectric actuators orsensors (e.g., transducer array 210 or sensor array 220 of FIG. 2 ). Anaudio system of the eyewear device (e.g., a beamforming module 270 of anaudio system 200 FIG. 2 ) may analyze sounds detected by the sensorarray (e.g., sensor array 220), combine information from differentacoustic sensors to emphasize sound associated from a particular regionof the local area (e.g., at an entrance of user's ear) whiledeemphasizing sound that is from outside of the region (e.g., crosstalk,or sound generated for another ear of the user).

In one embodiment, the transparent piezoelectric transducer arrays 510 aand 510 b function as piezoelectric actuators to generate pressure wavesto different ears of the user. For example, FIG. 5 illustratesbeamforming of generated pressure wave 520 a and pressure wave 520 b todifferent target locations being different ears of a user. In oneembodiment, a controller (e.g., audio controller 150 of FIG. 1A, audiocontroller 230 of FIG. 2 , or a different audio controller etc.) isconfigured to generate instructions to cause a first portion of thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array 510 a to generate a firstacoustic pressure wave 520 a directed to one ear of the user. Forexample, a portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducer array 510a generates a first acoustic pressure wave 520 a directed to a left earof a user. The controller is further configured to generate instructionsto cause a second portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducerarray 510 b to generate a second acoustic pressure wave 510 c directedto another ear of the user. For example, a portion of the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array 510 b generates a second acousticpressure wave 520 b directed to a right ear of a user. The firstinstructions and the second instructions may cause the array to generatethe first acoustic pressure wave 520 a and the second acoustic pressurewave 520 b directed to the left ear and the right ear of a user at asame time.

In one embodiment, portions of the transparent piezoelectric transducerarrays 510 c and 510 d may function as sensors and/or actuators todetect sound and generate air pressure waves to cancel detected noise todifferent ears of the user. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates mitigationof crosstalk through use of air pressures wave 520 c and 520 d todestructively interfere with crosstalk or other detected noise that isnot intended for the target location. In one embodiment, the controlleris configured to receive detected sound corresponding to the firstacoustic pressure wave 520 a at the ear of the user. The sound may bedetected using a portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducerarrays 510 c and 510 d. For example, the controller may be configured toinstruct a portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducer arrays510 c and 510 d to detect sound, and receive the detected sound.

The controller (e.g., a beamforming module 270 of an audio system 200FIG. 2 ) may be configured to analyze the detected sound by applying atransfer function to determine a sound detected at an entrance of theear of the user. As another example (not shown in FIG. 5 ), the soundmay be detected using microphones at the entrance of an ear of the userto directly detect the sound at the entrance of each ear of the user,and the controller may be configured to instruct the microphones tocapture sound data. In one example, the sound may be detected usingmicrophones from an in-ear device assembly of the user (e.g.,microphones as shown in FIG. 8 ). The sound may be also detected usingany of the sensors (not shown in FIG. 5 ) of the sensor array 220capable of detecting sound that is representative of sound at anentrance of the ear of the user. The controller can compare the detectedsound to a target sound (e.g., one intended to be at an entrance of anear of the user). However, the detected sound may not be the same as thetarget sound because of crosstalk. For example, if air pressure wave 520a and 520 b are generated at a same time with the intended target of theleft ear and right ear, the detected air pressure wave at an entrance ofthe left ear may include, along with a detected air pressure wave 520 aintended for the left ear, a portion of the air pressure wave 520 bintended for the right ear. Similarly, the detected air pressure wave atthe entrance of the right ear may include, along with a detected airpressure wave 520 b intended for the right ear, a portion of the airpressure wave 520 a intended for the left ear. The controller isconfigured to identify at least a portion of the detected soundcorresponds to noise (e.g., portion of a generated air pressure waverepresenting crosstalk not intended for the target location), and togenerate updated instructions for the array based on the detected sound.The updated instructions may cause at least another portion of thetransparent piezoelectric transducers 510 c to generate another acousticpressure wave 520 c to cancel the at least the portion of the detectedacoustic pressure wave corresponding to the noise, directed to the earof the user. For example, the portion of the transparent piezoelectrictransducer array 510 c generates the acoustic pressure wave 520 c tocancel at least a portion of the detected acoustic pressure wavecorresponding to the noise (destructively interfere with the acousticpressure wave 520 b that reaches a left ear of the user). Similarly, theportion of the transparent piezoelectric transducer array 510 dgenerates the acoustic pressure wave 520 d to cancel at least a portionof the detected acoustic pressure wave corresponding to noise(destructively interfere with the acoustic pressure wave 520 a thatreaches a right ear of the user). In another example, the first acousticpressure wave and another acoustic pressure wave may be generated bydifferent portions of a same transparent piezoelectric transducer array(e.g., different portions of a same array 510 a, b, c, or d).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transparent eyewear device including atransparent piezoelectric transducer array, in accordance with one ormore embodiments. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a headset 600implemented as a transparent eyewear device, in accordance with one ormore embodiments. In embodiments that describe an AR system and/or a MRsystem, portions of a front side of the transparent eyewear device areat least partially transparent in the visible band (˜380 nm to 750 nm),and portions of the transparent eyewear device that are between thefront side of the transparent eyewear device and an eye of the user areat least partially transparent (e.g., a partially transparent electronicdisplay). The headset 600 may include many of the same componentsdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1A, but modified to betransparent. The headset 600 includes a frame 610, a lenses 620, aspeaker 660, and an acoustic sensor 680. While FIG. 6 shows the speaker660 covering portions of the lenses 620 and temples of the frame 610,and the acoustic sensor 680 covering portions of the frame 610, thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array may cover different areas ofthe lenses 620 and frame 610. The transparent piezoelectric transducerarray may cover portions of an interior surface of the headset 600(e.g., surface facing a user when worn) and/or portions of an exteriorsurface of the headset 600. For example, the transparent transducerarray can cover an entire interior surface of the eyewear device. Thetransparent transducer array may cover portions of an interior surfaceof a first lens, a second lens, a first temple arm, and a second templearm of an eyewear device (e.g., surface facing a user of lenses 620 andframe 610 when worn). The transparent transducer array can cover around5,000 to 7,000 mm² of an interior surface of the eyewear device, alarger surface area than a speaker mounted only on the temples of theglasses frame. The transparent transducer array can utilize the largeinterior surface area of the eyewear device to compensate for arelatively small excursion or displacement of each transparentpiezoelectric transducer to obtain a target volume displacement.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of mitigating crosstalk, in accordancewith one or more embodiments. The process shown in FIG. 7 may beperformed by components of an audio system (e.g., audio system 200).Other entities may perform some or all of the steps in FIG. 7 in otherembodiments. Embodiments may include different and/or additional steps,or perform the steps in different orders.

The audio system (e.g., an audio controller 230 of the audio system 200of FIG. 2 ) generates 710 instructions for the array to cause at least afirst portion of the array to generate a first acoustic pressure wavedirected to an ear of a user. The instructions may cause a portion ofthe transparent piezoelectric transducer array to move to generate anacoustic pressure wave (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B above).

The audio system receives 720 detected sound from at least one sensor(e.g., one or more sensors of the sensor array 220 of FIG. 2 ), thedetected sound corresponding to the first acoustic pressure wave at theear of the user. For example, the audio system may detect sound using aportion of the transparent piezoelectric transducer array. The audiosystem may use at least one of the transparent piezoelectric transducerscloser in location to the ear of the user than another one of thetransparent piezoelectric transducers in the array to detect sound. Thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array may be on a frame of theeyewear device (e.g., acoustic sensor 680 of FIG. 6 ) and not at the earof the user. The controller may be configured to analyze the detectedsound by applying a transfer function to determine a sound detected atan entrance of the ear of the user. As another example, the sound may bedetected using microphones at the entrance of an ear of the user todirectly detect the sound at the entrance of each ear of the user (e.g.,a microphone of in-ear device of FIG. 8 ). The sound may be alsodetected using any of the sensors of the sensor array 220 capable ofdetecting sound that is representative of sound at an entrance of theear of the user.

The audio system identifies 730 at least a portion of the detected soundcorresponds to noise. For example, an audio system of the eyewear device(e.g., a beamforming module 270 of an audio system 200 FIG. 2 ) mayanalyze sounds detected by the sensor array (e.g., sensor array 220).The audio system may compare the detected sound to a target sound (e.g.,intended sound for the user from the first acoustic pressure wave at theear of the user). The audio system may filter out the target sound fromthe detected sound to determine what is noise.

The audio system generates 740 updated instructions for the array tocause at least another portion of the array to generate another acousticpressure wave to cancel the at least the portion of the detectedacoustic pressure corresponding to the noise, directed to the ear of theuser. The audio system may have a transparent piezoelectric transducerarray including multiple arrays that are all part of the same array(e.g., transparent piezoelectric transducer array 510 a, 510 b, 510 c,and 510 d in FIG. 5 ). The audio system may generate the first acousticpressure wave using a portion of the transparent piezoelectrictransducer array 510 a, and the updated instructions for the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array 510 c.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an in-ear device assembly 800 includinga transparent piezoelectric transducer array, in accordance with one ormore embodiments. The in-ear device assembly 800 includes an in-eardevice 802, a sleeve 804, and a pin 806. The sleeve 804 is configured tobe coupled to the in-ear device 802. The in-ear device may include aspeaker 801 to produce sound. The speaker 801 may include thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array. The sleeve 804 may also bereferred to as an eartip. The sleeve 804 may be made of silicone,plastic, rubber, polymer, foam, fabric, etc. or some combinationthereof. The in-ear device 802 may be removable from the sleeve 804. Aninterior dimension of the sleeve 804 corresponds to an exteriordimension of the in-ear device 802. An exterior dimension of the sleeve804 corresponds to a width of the ear canal 807. In some embodiments,there may be a plurality of sleeves that can couple to the in-ear device802, the interior dimension being a same size to couple to the in-eardevice 802, and the exterior dimension of each sleeve being a differentsize to provide a better fit for different sized ear canals. When thein-ear device assembly 800 is inserted into the ear canal 807, thesleeve 804 can provide a close seal to the ear canal 807. The sleeve 804may cover only sides of the in-ear device 802 that are adjacent to theear canal 807. A side 802 a of the in-ear device 802 may be leftuncovered by the sleeve 804 to allow sound produced by the speaker 801in the in-ear device 802 to be provided via the ear canal 807 towardsthe ear drum 808 of the user. The in-ear device 802 may include amicrophone 820 on side 802 a which is left uncovered by the sleeve 804to allow sound internal to the ear canal 807 to reach the microphone820. The microphone 820 may include a transparent piezoelectrictransducer array. The in-ear device 802 may include a microphone 821 onside 802 b which is left uncovered by the sleeve 804 so that soundexternal to the ear canal 807 of the user may reach the microphone 821.The microphones or microphone array 821 may include a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array. The in-ear device 802 may include a rearport with resistive mesh on side 802 b which is left uncovered to thelocal area external to the ear canal.

The pin 806 is coupled to the in-ear device 802 and to enable a user toextract the in-ear device 802 from the ear canal 807. The user may holdonto the pin 806 to insert the in-ear device 802 into the ear canal 807or remove the in-ear device 802 from the ear canal 807. The pin 806 maybe flexible, comfortable, and easy to handle. The pin 806 may be coupledto the in-ear device 802. In other embodiments, the pin 806 may becoupled to the sleeve 804 of the in-ear device, or the pin 806 may becoupled to both the sleeve 804 and the in-ear device 802. In someembodiments, there may not be a pin 806, and the user may extract thein-ear device 802 by handling the sleeve 804.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of display device 900 including a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array to illustrate generating localized soundfrom source objects in displayed images, in accordance with one or moreembodiments. The display device 900 includes an electronic display. Forexample, the display device 900 may be a tablet, monitor, laptop, or anyelectronic device that includes an electronic display. An electronicdisplay may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) display, an active-matrix organic light-emitting diodedisplay (AMOLED), a waveguide display, some other display, or somecombination thereof. A transparent piezoelectric transducer array coversa transparent surface of the electronic display. The transparentpiezoelectric transducer array included in audio system 200 of FIG. 2may be at least a portion of transducer array 210 and/or the sensorarray 220. For example, the transducer array 210 includes a transparentpiezoelectric transducer array to generate sounds for the user. Thedisplay device 900 displays images to a user, and the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array generates localized sound for sourceobjects in the images displayed to a user. The transparent piezoelectrictransducer array may overlap pixels (or some other display mechanism,e.g., screen, etc.) on the display device 900 that are displayingimages. The audio system 200 (e.g., audio controller 230 of the audiosystem 200 in FIG. 2 ) may identify one or more objects in the imagesand determine one or more source objects (e.g., object in a displayedimage from which sound may originate from). The audio system 200 mayanalyze a sound file to identify different localized sounds, and comparethe different localized sounds to the identified one or more objects andmay match the sounds to the object based on (e.g., matching frequenciesof the identified localized sound and motion of the object, objectrecognition and identification of sound type, etc.). Alternatively, theaudio system 200 may receive a localized display sound data file whichmay identify locations of source objects in the display data and acorresponding localized audio to facilitate providing localized soundsfor objects displayed in the image data. A portion of the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array overlapping a source object may be usedas actuators to generate localized audio content.

Delivering 3D spatial audio may be very similar to HRTF rending ofsounds. For example, a location of a target sound can be provided bychoosing an azimuth and elevation and convolving the audio data with thecorresponding HRTF for a specific azimuth and elevation. This processedfile is may then be sent to the transparent piezoelectric transducerarray to be rendered for the user.

For example, in FIG. 9 , the display device 900 may display images of aperson who is talking, and a portion of the transparent piezoelectrictransducer array overlapping the pixels displaying a source object(e.g., mouth of the person) may be activated to produce an air pressurewave as localized audio content (e.g., representing sound originatingfrom a person's mouth). At the same time, a phone 920 displayed on thedisplay device 900 may be ringing, and a portion of the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array that overlaps the pixels displaying thephone 920 can be utilized to generate sound for the phone 920.

As another example, the display device 900 may show a video of a womanwalking on a hard floor in high heels could also be talking, and therecould be sounds from the high heels clicking on the hard floor, andsounds from the mouth of the woman who is talking. The audio content forthe video displayed on the display device 900 may be mapped to eachvideo frame, so that localized sound may be generated from two differentlocations: the shoes of the woman and the mouth of the woman. As thewoman walks across the floor, the location where the high heels aredisplayed when it impacts the floor may be the source object for theclicking high heels, and the location of the woman's mouth as she talksis the source object for the woman's voice. The locations of thesesource objects would change from frame to frame as the woman is walking,and the audio for the sounds of the clicking of the high heels and thewoman's mouth would be mapped to the locations of the correspondingsource object. Different portions of the transparent transducer arrayoverlapping the source objects would be used as actuators to generatethe localized audio content for the clicking heels and the woman's voiceas she walks.

A cross section of the display device 900 along a line 925 shows aportion of the display substrate 952, a plurality of pixels 954, adisplay cover 956, and piezo stacks 960 and 962. The display substrate952 may be made out of any material that can support the display. Forexample, the display substrate 952 may be made of glass, plastic,silicon, or any combination thereof. The display cover 956 istransparent and may be made of any material that is transparent. Forexample, the display cover 956 may be made of glass, crystal, plastic,or any combination thereof. Although not shown, the display cover 956may optionally include recesses in the transparent display surfacecorresponding to back volume of each piezo stack 960 and 962. Each piezostack 960 and 962 may correspond to multiple underlying display pixels954.

In some embodiments, a transparent piezoelectric transducer arraycovering a transparent surface of the electronic display may be used toprovide haptic feedback to the user, or for haptic applications. Forexample, instead of generating sound waves by an overlapping portion oftransparent piezoelectric transducer array in areas around the phone920, the transparent piezoelectric transducer array may providelocalized vibration of the phone 920. Just like using this transducerfor cartilage conduction, the same transducer can be also used forhaptic application, with the modification to tune the transducer for usefor the specific load impedance (either mounted on a phone or direct incontact with the hand).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 illustrating a process for the audio systemto generate localized sound in a display device from source objects indisplayed images, in accordance with one or more embodiments. Theprocess shown in FIG. 10 may be performed by components of an audiosystem (e.g., audio system 200). Other entities may perform some or allof the steps in FIG. 10 in other embodiments. Embodiments may includedifferent and/or additional steps, or perform the steps in differentorders.

The audio system (e.g., an audio controller of the audio system)determines 1010 an area corresponding to a source object in one or moreimages to be displayed on a display. For example, as described in regardto FIG. 9 , the audio system 200 (e.g., audio controller 230 of theaudio system 200 in FIG. 2 ) may identify one or more objects in theimages and determine one or more source objects. The audio system mayanalyze a sound file to identify different localized sounds. The audiosystem may compare the different localized sounds to the identified oneor more objects and may match the sounds to the object based on matchingoccurrences of the identified localized sound and motion of the object.For example, if localized sound occurs at a same time during an impactof two objects (e.g., impact of high heel on a hard floor), the audiosystem may map the localized sound to the impact of two objects. Asanother example, if an object is moving, such as a mouth, the audiosystem may identify a face of a person, and its mouth. The audio systemmay also identify a localized sound as a certain type of sound (e.g.,identify that language being spoken, etc.) and map the spoken languageto the source object of the person's mouth. Alternatively, the audiosystem 200 may receive a localized display sound data file which mayidentify locations of source objects in the display data and acorresponding localized audio to facilitate providing localized soundsfor objects displayed in the image data. A portion of the transparentpiezoelectric transducer array overlapping a source object may be usedas actuators to generate localized audio content.

The audio system identifies 1020 a portion of the array within athreshold distance from a boundary of the area corresponding to thesource object. In some embodiments, the threshold is de minimis andbasically maps to the boundary of the area such that the boundary of thearea corresponding to the source object matches an area of the portionof the array. In other embodiments, the threshold distance may have avalue based on a number of transparent piezoelectric transducer that areneeded to cover the source object.

The audio system generates 1030 instructions for the array based onaudio content corresponding to the one or more images, wherein thegenerated instructions cause the portion of the array to generate anacoustic pressure wave.

FIG. 11 is a system 1100 that includes a headset 1105, in accordancewith one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, the headset 1105 maybe the headset 100 of FIG. 1A. The system 1100 may operate in anartificial reality environment (e.g., a virtual reality environment, anaugmented reality environment, a mixed reality environment, or somecombination thereof). The system 1100 shown by FIG. 11 includes theheadset 1105, an input/output (I/O) interface 1110 that is coupled to aconsole 1115, the network 1120, and the mapping server 1125. While FIG.11 shows an example system 1100 including one headset 1105 and one I/Ointerface 1110, in other embodiments any number of these components maybe included in the system 1100. For example, there may be multipleheadsets each having an associated I/O interface 1110, with each headsetand I/O interface 1110 communicating with the console 1115. Inalternative configurations, different and/or additional components maybe included in the system 1100. Additionally, functionality described inconjunction with one or more of the components shown in FIG. 11 may bedistributed among the components in a different manner than described inconjunction with FIG. 11 in some embodiments. For example, some or allof the functionality of the console 1115 may be provided by the headset1105.

The headset 1105 includes the display assembly 1130, an optics block1135, one or more position sensors 1140, and the DCA 1145. Someembodiments of headset 1105 have different components than thosedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 11 . Additionally, the functionalityprovided by various components described in conjunction with FIG. 11 maybe differently distributed among the components of the headset 1105 inother embodiments, or be captured in separate assemblies remote from theheadset 1105.

The display assembly 1130 displays content to the user in accordancewith data received from the console 1115. The display assembly 1130displays the content using one or more display elements (e.g., thedisplay elements 120). A display element may be, e.g., an electronicdisplay. In various embodiments, the display assembly 1130 comprises asingle display element or multiple display elements (e.g., a display foreach eye of a user). Examples of an electronic display include: a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display,an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display (AMOLED), awaveguide display, some other display, or some combination thereof. Notein some embodiments, the display element may also include some or all ofthe functionality of the optics block 1135.

The optics block 1135 may magnify image light received from theelectronic display, corrects optical errors associated with the imagelight, and presents the corrected image light to one or both eyeboxes ofthe headset 1105. In various embodiments, the optics block 1135 includesone or more optical elements. Example optical elements included in theoptics block 1135 include: an aperture, a Fresnel lens, a convex lens, aconcave lens, a filter, a reflecting surface, or any other suitableoptical element that affects image light. Moreover, the optics block1135 may include combinations of different optical elements. In someembodiments, one or more of the optical elements in the optics block1135 may have one or more coatings, such as partially reflective oranti-reflective coatings.

Magnification and focusing of the image light by the optics block 1135allows the electronic display to be physically smaller, weigh less, andconsume less power than larger displays. Additionally, magnification mayincrease the field of view of the content presented by the electronicdisplay. For example, the field of view of the displayed content is suchthat the displayed content is presented using almost all (e.g.,approximately 110 degrees diagonal), and in some cases, all of theuser's field of view. Additionally, in some embodiments, the amount ofmagnification may be adjusted by adding or removing optical elements.

In some embodiments, the optics block 1135 may be designed to correctone or more types of optical error. Examples of optical error includebarrel or pincushion distortion, longitudinal chromatic aberrations, ortransverse chromatic aberrations. Other types of optical errors mayfurther include spherical aberrations, chromatic aberrations, or errorsdue to the lens field curvature, astigmatisms, or any other type ofoptical error. In some embodiments, content provided to the electronicdisplay for display is pre-distorted, and the optics block 1135 correctsthe distortion when it receives image light from the electronic displaygenerated based on the content.

The position sensor 1140 is an electronic device that generates dataindicating a position of the headset 1105. The position sensor 1140generates one or more measurement signals in response to motion of theheadset 1105. The position sensor 190 is an embodiment of the positionsensor 1140. Examples of a position sensor 1140 include: one or moretransparent piezoelectric transducers, one or more IMUs, one or moreaccelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, one or more magnetometers,another suitable type of sensor that detects motion, or some combinationthereof. The position sensor 1140 may include multiple accelerometers tomeasure translational motion (forward/back, up/down, left/right) andmultiple gyroscopes to measure rotational motion (e.g., pitch, yaw,roll). In some embodiments, an IMU rapidly samples the measurementsignals and calculates the estimated position of the headset 1105 fromthe sampled data. For example, the IMU integrates the measurementsignals received from the accelerometers over time to estimate avelocity vector and integrates the velocity vector over time todetermine an estimated position of a reference point on the headset1105. The reference point is a point that may be used to describe theposition of the headset 1105. While the reference point may generally bedefined as a point in space, however, in practice the reference point isdefined as a point within the headset 1105. The position sensor 1140 mayinclude one or more transparent piezoelectric transducers. For example,the accelerometers may be a transparent piezoelectric transducer. TheDCA 1145 generates depth information for a portion of the local area.The DCA includes one or more imaging devices and a DCA controller. TheDCA 1145 may also include an illuminator. Operation and structure of theDCA 1145 is described above with regard to FIG. 1A.

The audio system 1150 provides audio content to a user of the headset1105. The audio system 1150 is substantially the same as the audiosystem 200 describe above. The audio system 1150 includes an array oftransparent piezoelectric transducers. The audio system 1150 maycomprise one or acoustic sensors, one or more transducers, and an audiocontroller. The array of transparent piezoelectric transducers may be apart of the one or more acoustic sensors and/or the one or moretransducers, as described in more detail below. The array of transparentpiezoelectric transducers may include a single continuous array oftransparent piezoelectric transducers or more than one discrete arraysof transparent piezoelectric transducers covering a personal device of auser. The transparent piezoelectric transducer array as part of one ormore transducers may present audio content via air conduction and maycover an entire audible frequency range (e.g., 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Thetransparent piezoelectric transducer array as part of the one or moreacoustic sensors may detect an air pressure wave, or may be in contactwith a portion of a user's ear, etc. to indirectly measure a producedair pressure wave through detected vibrations. The audio system 1150 mayprovide spatialized audio content to the user. In some embodiments, theaudio system 1150 may request acoustic parameters from the mappingserver 1125 over the network 1120. The acoustic parameters describe oneor more acoustic properties (e.g., room impulse response, areverberation time, a reverberation level, etc.) of the local area. Theaudio system 1150 may provide information describing at least a portionof the local area from e.g., the DCA 1145 and/or location informationfor the headset 1105 from the position sensor 1140. The audio system1150 may generate one or more sound filters using one or more of theacoustic parameters received from the mapping server 1125, and use thesound filters to provide audio content to the user.

The I/O interface 1110 is a device that allows a user to send actionrequests and receive responses from the console 1115. An action requestis a request to perform a particular action. For example, an actionrequest may be an instruction to start or end capture of image or videodata, or an instruction to perform a particular action within anapplication. The I/O interface 1110 may include one or more inputdevices. Example input devices include: a keyboard, a mouse, a gamecontroller, or any other suitable device for receiving action requestsand communicating the action requests to the console 1115. An actionrequest received by the I/O interface 1110 is communicated to theconsole 1115, which performs an action corresponding to the actionrequest. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 1110 includes an IMUthat captures calibration data indicating an estimated position of theI/O interface 1110 relative to an initial position of the I/O interface1110. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 1110 may provide hapticfeedback to the user in accordance with instructions received from theconsole 1115. For example, haptic feedback is provided when an actionrequest is received, or the console 1115 communicates instructions tothe I/O interface 1110 causing the I/O interface 1110 to generate hapticfeedback when the console 1115 performs an action. In some embodiments,a transparent piezoelectric transducer may be used to provide hapticfeedback to the user, or for haptic applications.

The console 1115 provides content to the headset 1105 for processing inaccordance with information received from one or more of: the DCA 1145,the headset 1105, and the I/O interface 1110. In the example shown inFIG. 11 , the console 1115 includes an application store 1155, atracking module 1160, and an engine 1165. Some embodiments of theconsole 1115 have different modules or components than those describedin conjunction with FIG. 11 . Similarly, the functions further describedbelow may be distributed among components of the console 1115 in adifferent manner than described in conjunction with FIG. 11 . In someembodiments, the functionality discussed herein with respect to theconsole 1115 may be implemented in the headset 1105, or a remote system.

The application store 1155 stores one or more applications for executionby the console 1115. An application is a group of instructions, thatwhen executed by a processor, generates content for presentation to theuser. Content generated by an application may be in response to inputsreceived from the user via movement of the headset 1105 or the I/Ointerface 1110. Examples of applications include: gaming applications,conferencing applications, video playback applications, or othersuitable applications.

The tracking module 1160 tracks movements of the headset 1105 or of theI/O interface 1110 using information from the DCA 1145, the one or moreposition sensors 1140, or some combination thereof. For example, thetracking module 1160 determines a position of a reference point of theheadset 1105 in a mapping of a local area based on information from theheadset 1105. The tracking module 1160 may also determine positions ofan object or virtual object. Additionally, in some embodiments, thetracking module 1160 may use portions of data indicating a position ofthe headset 1105 from the position sensor 1140 as well asrepresentations of the local area from the DCA 1145 to predict a futurelocation of the headset 1105. The tracking module 1160 provides theestimated or predicted future position of the headset 1105 or the I/Ointerface 1110 to the engine 1165.

The engine 1165 executes applications and receives position information,acceleration information, velocity information, predicted futurepositions, or some combination thereof, of the headset 1105 from thetracking module 1160. Based on the received information, the engine 1165determines content to provide to the headset 1105 for presentation tothe user. For example, if the received information indicates that theuser has looked to the left, the engine 1165 generates content for theheadset 1105 that mirrors the user's movement in a virtual local area orin a local area augmenting the local area with additional content.Additionally, the engine 1165 performs an action within an applicationexecuting on the console 1115 in response to an action request receivedfrom the I/O interface 1110 and provides feedback to the user that theaction was performed. The provided feedback may be visual or audiblefeedback via the headset 1105 or haptic feedback via the I/O interface1110.

The network 1120 couples the headset 1105 and/or the console 1115 to themapping server 1125. The network 1120 may include any combination oflocal area and/or wide area networks using both wireless and/or wiredcommunication systems. For example, the network 1120 may include theInternet, as well as mobile telephone networks. In one embodiment, thenetwork 1120 uses standard communications technologies and/or protocols.Hence, the network 1120 may include links using technologies such asEthernet, 802.11, worldwide interoperability for microwave access(WiMAX), 2G/3G/4G mobile communications protocols, digital subscriberline (DSL), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), InfiniBand, PCI ExpressAdvanced Switching, etc. Similarly, the networking protocols used on thenetwork 1120 can include multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), thetransmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), the UserDatagram Protocol (UDP), the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), thesimple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), the file transfer protocol (FTP),etc. The data exchanged over the network 1120 can be represented usingtechnologies and/or formats including image data in binary form (e.g.Portable Network Graphics (PNG)), hypertext markup language (HTML),extensible markup language (XML), etc. In addition, all or some of linkscan be encrypted using conventional encryption technologies such assecure sockets layer (SSL), transport layer security (TLS), virtualprivate networks (VPNs), Internet Protocol security (IPsec), etc.

The mapping server 1125 may include a database that stores a virtualmodel describing a plurality of spaces, wherein one location in thevirtual model corresponds to a current configuration of a local area ofthe headset 1105. The mapping server 1125 receives, from the headset1105 via the network 1120, information describing at least a portion ofthe local area and/or location information for the local area. The usermay adjust privacy settings to allow or prevent the headset 1105 fromtransmitting information to the mapping server 1125. The mapping server1125 determines, based on the received information and/or locationinformation, a location in the virtual model that is associated with thelocal area of the headset 1105. The mapping server 1125 determines(e.g., retrieves) one or more acoustic parameters associated with thelocal area, based in part on the determined location in the virtualmodel and any acoustic parameters associated with the determinedlocation. The mapping server 1125 may transmit the location of the localarea and any values of acoustic parameters associated with the localarea to the headset 1105.

One or more components of system 1100 may contain a privacy module thatstores one or more privacy settings for user data elements. The userdata elements describe the user or the headset 1105. For example, theuser data elements may describe a physical characteristic of the user,an action performed by the user, a location of the user of the headset1105, a location of the headset 1105, an HRTF for the user, etc. Privacysettings (or “access settings”) for a user data element may be stored inany suitable manner, such as, for example, in association with the userdata element, in an index on an authorization server, in anothersuitable manner, or any suitable combination thereof.

A privacy setting for a user data element specifies how the user dataelement (or particular information associated with the user dataelement) can be accessed, stored, or otherwise used (e.g., viewed,shared, modified, copied, executed, surfaced, or identified). In someembodiments, the privacy settings for a user data element may specify a“blocked list” of entities that may not access certain informationassociated with the user data element. The privacy settings associatedwith the user data element may specify any suitable granularity ofpermitted access or denial of access. For example, some entities mayhave permission to see that a specific user data element exists, someentities may have permission to view the content of the specific userdata element, and some entities may have permission to modify thespecific user data element. The privacy settings may allow the user toallow other entities to access or store user data elements for a finiteperiod of time.

The privacy settings may allow a user to specify one or more geographiclocations from which user data elements can be accessed. Access ordenial of access to the user data elements may depend on the geographiclocation of an entity who is attempting to access the user dataelements. For example, the user may allow access to a user data elementand specify that the user data element is accessible to an entity onlywhile the user is in a particular location. If the user leaves theparticular location, the user data element may no longer be accessibleto the entity. As another example, the user may specify that a user dataelement is accessible only to entities within a threshold distance fromthe user, such as another user of a headset within the same local areaas the user. If the user subsequently changes location, the entity withaccess to the user data element may lose access, while a new group ofentities may gain access as they come within the threshold distance ofthe user.

The system 1100 may include one or more authorization/privacy serversfor enforcing privacy settings. A request from an entity for aparticular user data element may identify the entity associated with therequest and the user data element may be sent only to the entity if theauthorization server determines that the entity is authorized to accessthe user data element based on the privacy settings associated with theuser data element. If the requesting entity is not authorized to accessthe user data element, the authorization server may prevent therequested user data element from being retrieved or may prevent therequested user data element from being sent to the entity. Although thisdisclosure describes enforcing privacy settings in a particular manner,this disclosure contemplates enforcing privacy settings in any suitablemanner.

Additional Configuration Information

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented forillustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the patentrights to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevantart can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possibleconsidering the above disclosure.

Some portions of this description describe the embodiments in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information.These algorithmic descriptions and representations are commonly used bythose skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance oftheir work effectively to others skilled in the art. These operations,while described functionally, computationally, or logically, areunderstood to be implemented by computer programs or equivalentelectrical circuits, microcode, or the like. Furthermore, it has alsoproven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operationsas modules, without loss of generality. The described operations andtheir associated modules may be embodied in software, firmware,hardware, or any combinations thereof.

Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may beperformed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modules,alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, asoftware module is implemented with a computer program productcomprising a computer-readable medium containing computer program code,which can be executed by a computer processor for performing any or allthe steps, operations, or processes described.

Embodiments may also relate to an apparatus for performing theoperations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for therequired purposes, and/or it may comprise a general-purpose computingdevice selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer programstored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in anon-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, or any typeof media suitable for storing electronic instructions, which may becoupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, any computing systemsreferred to in the specification may include a single processor or maybe architectures employing multiple processor designs for increasedcomputing capability.

Embodiments may also relate to a product that is produced by a computingprocess described herein. Such a product may comprise informationresulting from a computing process, where the information is stored on anon-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium and mayinclude any embodiment of a computer program product or other datacombination described herein.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principallyselected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not havebeen selected to delineate or circumscribe the patent rights. It istherefore intended that the scope of the patent rights be limited not bythis detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on anapplication based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodimentsis intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of thepatent rights, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining an areacorresponding to a source object in one or more images to be displayedon an electronic display; identifying a portion of a piezoelectrictransducer array within a threshold distance from a boundary of the areacorresponding to the source object; generating instructions for at leastthe portion of the piezoelectric transducer array based on audio contentassociated with the source object in the one or more images; andproviding the generated instructions to the piezoelectric transducerarray, wherein the generated instructions cause the portion of the arrayto generate an acoustic pressure wave, wherein at least onepiezoelectric transducer has a fixed end coupled to a transparentsurface and a free end opposite to the fixed end, the transparentsurface located between the electronic display and the piezoelectrictransducer array, and the free end configured to be displaced in adirection towards or away from the transparent surface to generate anacoustic pressure wave.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thepiezoelectric transducer array covers the electronic display.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining a second areacorresponding to a second source object in the one or more images to bedisplayed on an electronic display; identifying a second portion of thepiezoelectric transducer array that is within a threshold distance froma boundary of the second area corresponding to the second source object;generating instructions for the second portion the piezoelectrictransducer array based on audio content associated with the secondsource object in the one or more images; and providing the generatedinstructions to the second portion of the piezoelectric transducerarray, wherein the generated instructions cause the second portion ofthe array to generate another acoustic pressure wave.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the generated instructions cause the array to generatethe acoustic pressure wave and the another acoustic pressure wave at asame time.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the acoustic pressure waveis generated at a same time as the source object is presented on theelectronic display.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronicdisplay and the array of piezoelectric transducers are separated by atransparent material, and the material includes one or more recessesthat form back volumes for one or more piezoelectric transducers of thearray of piezoelectric transducers.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereineach piezoelectric transducer comprises alternating layers of one ormore piezoelectric layers and one or more conductive layers.
 8. A devicecomprising: an electronic display; an array of piezoelectrictransducers; and a controller configured to: determine an areacorresponding to a source object in one or more images to be displayedon the electronic display, identify a portion of the piezoelectrictransducer array within a threshold distance from a boundary of the areacorresponding to the source object, generate instructions for at least aportion of the piezoelectric transducer array based on audio contentassociated with the source object in the one or more images, and providethe generated instructions to at least the portion of the piezoelectrictransducer array, wherein the generated instructions cause the portionof the array to generate an acoustic pressure wave, wherein at least onepiezoelectric transducer has a fixed end coupled to a transparentsurface and a free end opposite to the fixed end, the transparentsurface located between the electronic display and the piezoelectrictransducer array, and the free end configured to be displaced in adirection towards or away from the transparent surface to generate anacoustic pressure wave.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein thepiezoelectric transducer array covers the electronic display.
 10. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein the generated instructions cause anotherportion of the array overlapping in another location with another sourceobject in the one or more images to generate another acoustic pressurewave.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the generated instructionscause the array to generate the acoustic pressure wave and the anotheracoustic pressure wave at a same time.
 12. The device of claim 8,wherein the acoustic pressure wave is generated at a same time as thesource object is presented on the electronic display.
 13. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the electronic display and the array of piezoelectrictransducers are separated by a transparent material, and the materialincludes one or more recesses that form back volumes for one or morepiezoelectric transducers of the array of transparent-piezoelectrictransducers.
 14. The device of claim 8, wherein each piezoelectrictransducer comprises additional alternating layers of one or morepiezoelectric layers and one or more conductive layers.
 15. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising storedinstructions, the instructions when executed by a processor of a device,causing the device to: determine an area corresponding to a sourceobject in one or more images to be displayed on an electronic display;identify a portion of a piezoelectric transducer array within athreshold distance from a boundary of the area corresponding to thesource object; generate instructions for at least a portion of thepiezoelectric transducer array based on audio content associated with asound source in to the one or more images; and provide the generatedinstructions to at least the portion of the piezoelectric transducerarray, wherein the generated instructions cause the portion of the arrayto generate an acoustic pressure wave, wherein at least onepiezoelectric transducer has a fixed end coupled to a transparentsurface and a free end opposite to the fixed end, the transparentsurface located between the electronic display and the piezoelectrictransducer array, and the free end configured to be displaced in adirection towards or away from the transparent surface to generate anacoustic pressure wave.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric transducer array coversthe electronic display.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the generated instructions cause anotherportion of the array overlapping in another location with another sourceobject in the one or more images to generate another acoustic pressurewave.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim15, wherein the acoustic pressure wave is generated at a same time asthe source object is presented on the electronic display.